E46 M3 stock vs 335i stock

[46m3csl]

Which would have faster acceleration and handling, I am going to be buying of these but I haven't test drove either yet, how the handling and the way the car reacts and feels, NEED SOME INPUT FORM WHO HAS DRIVEN BOTH

[brava09]

check this:

http://www.fastestlaps.com/compariso...a861dbf7c.html

E46 M3 is faster and has better handling as well.

[GOLFFRR]

i always say if you can get a M get it. it will always be better IMO.

I've had all the cars, e46M3 ,335i, and now e92M3. Between the e46 and 335, they both had there advantages but at the end of the day like i said above the M platform is just much more superior

[46m3csl]

Thanks for the info guys but what you mean Hook me up, am looking for one but can't find the right one

[GOLFFRR]

^^^used e46 are hard to find without a lot of miles unless your willing to pay. there really sweet cars, which turn is prob the reason guys don't want to part with them. I don't have any used Ms at our dealership right now sorry. But if you decide you want a new 335 i will def give you a price you can't refuse. GL with your choice.

[46m3csl]

Do you have any used 335i coupes 6 speed, and what kind of price can you get me for a new one, let know if you get any used ones

[Firewired1]

Both are VERY different. Drive them and decide for yourself.

All I can tell you about performance, is that these are pretty equal on a highway pull.

[DefBringer]

Originally Posted by 46m3csl

Which would have faster acceleration and handling, I am going to be buying of these but I haven't test drove either yet, how the handling and the way the car reacts and feels, NEED SOME INPUT FORM WHO HAS DRIVEN BOTH

I drove both of these cars back to back.

My decision was very easy. The E46 was much, much slower than the 335i and also just felt *very* sloppy compared to the tight, buttoned-down 335i.

Throw in the better gas mileage, the fact that the E9x look better, and are much better appointed in terms of interior....it's a no-brainer.

I'm sure the M3 posse will swoop down with hate but I've driven and owned more sporty/sports cars than most people on this forum and I do know what I'm talking about.

PS - if you're going to "track" your car, I suggest going with the M3 as that is the only place where it will keep up with a 335.

[MVF4Rrider]

Originally Posted by DefBringer

I drove both of these cars back to back.

My decision was very easy. The E46 was much, much slower than the 335i and also just felt *very* sloppy compared to the tight, buttoned-down 335i.

Throw in the better gas mileage, the fact that the E9x look better, and are much better appointed in terms of interior....it's a no-brainer.

I'm sure the M3 posse will swoop down with hate but I've driven and owned more sporty/sports cars than most people on this forum and I do know what I'm talking about.

PS - if you're going to "track" your car, I suggest going with the M3 as that is the only place where it will keep up with a 335.

I've owned both (when I lived in Germany) and the 335i loses all you love about its power output at higher rpms. You just perceive the 335i is faster but it isn't. The 335i is easier to drive as it's made for the masses. If you want performance and are willing to rev the car the way it's meant to, then the M3 is the obvious choice. Most Americans have never really stretched the legs on anything so their opinion is unjust and practically worthless. I know which car is most confidence inspiring, especially at speeds over 140 mph. It's not the 335i. Plus the 335i is without character. It's just a vanilla BMW...although quite a nice vanilla BMW...but it's no M.

[Krozi]

Good God.

[graider]

m3.......given similar performance, the e46 m3 just look so much better and has more character. that alone should help you decide already.

[vdude]

I currently own an E46 M3 and E90 335. Both cars have very different personalities-what's best for you boils down to your driving style. Here's a few things for you to consider:
* Stock, both cars have similar accelleration (think they're within a few 10ths to 60, 1/4 mile, 100 etc) but do it differently
* 335 is much easier/cheaper to mod, M3 is ridiculously expensive to mod
* Off the line, the 335 feels faster due to more low end torque but power drops off gradually toward red-line
* 335 power is more sensitive to temperature; actually feels much faster in colder weather (which I guess is similar to other F/I cars)
* In sport mode (with the more aggressive throttle response), the M3 has decent (but not great) low end but the S54 motor is more about mid-range and top end power (its nowhere near as gutless down low as a honda motor but you have to drive it hard to get the most out of it)
* On the street, the 335 rides smooth (much smoother with BFG KDW2 19s vs OEM runflats), handles well and is a great daily driver (that's why my wife loves it)
* Most people feel that the M3 rides too rough and is too high-strung to be a daily driver (based on my driving style, that's why I love it although I see how a lot of people prefer the smoothness of the 335)
* Canyon runs reveal the true character of each car; the 335 is tuned more for luxury. While it can definitely hold its own and is fun to drive, its a lot softer, less composed at the limit, more proned to understeer, is less confidence inspiring and fun than the M3 (which feels like its made for this type of driving).
* While I haven't tracked the 335, I've tracked the M3 against other 335's at Willow Springs; I have intermediate skills but consistently out cornered and and out handled the other 335s and E36 M3s in my run group. The confidence that the M3 inspires in the canyons seems even more pronounced on the track
* There's a lot of talk about 335 HPFP issues; the E46 M3 has had its own share of major problems (all of which have affected me) including the Rod-bearing recall (fortunate that my motor didn't blow but a few apparently have), Coil Pack failure, Sub-frame cracking issues (both happened to me). Fortunately, BMW stepped up and took care of everything under warranty.

If you're into a smooth ride, low end torque, decent handling, then the 335 is for you. If you want a car with more personality, track and canyon ability and what I feel is a timeless design, then the E46 M3 is better. While I love the 335 for what it is and think its far superior to its main rivals (all of which I've spent a lot of time driving - G37, IS350 etc), its no "M" car.

[IE#02]

I've owned both, 335i is faster in straight line, M3 has superior handling and feel and I chose to sell my 335i and keep the e46 because it's a better car. 335 has enormous amounts of turbo lag too despite what you might hear.

[Jet335i]

Originally Posted by IE#02

I've owned both, 335i is faster in straight line, M3 has superior handling and feel and I chose to sell my 335i and keep the e46 because it's a better car. 335 has enormous amounts of turbo lag too despite what you might hear.

"enormous" is a very relative term. Try driving an evo..that's lag.

Compared to my evo, my 335i barely had any lag.

[BMWCadet]

Originally Posted by IE#02

I've owned both, 335i is faster in straight line, M3 has superior handling and feel and I chose to sell my 335i and keep the e46 because it's a better car. 335 has enormous amounts of turbo lag too despite what you might hear.

Might hear from who? No one? "335 has enormous amounts of lag" is the most ridiculous thing i've heard yet.

[M3Fool]

Drive them both and make YOUR OWN decision......... everybody's opinion is different and not a single member of this or any other forum has any stake in what you decide. It boils down to what YOU as a driver want. Good Luck

[yemenmocha]

LOL so many people are fooled by a little more low end torque... and draw the fallacious inference that the car is "faster"

Also, in my experience with people if they haven't had any formal driving education then they really can't appreciate the differences in braking & cornering with two cars such as the M3 vs. a 335i. If they don't know how to execute corners properly and use most of the car's capability then the superior platform of the M3 may not be fully appreciated.

[M3Fool]

Originally Posted by yemenmocha

LOL so many people are fooled by a little more low end torque... and draw the fallacious inference that the car is "faster"

Also, in my experience with people if they haven't had any formal driving education then they really can't appreciate the differences in braking & cornering with two cars such as the M3 vs. a 335i. If they don't know how to execute corners properly and use most of the car's capability then the superior platform of the M3 may not be fully appreciated.

+1.... so true, that explains why so many exotics are crashed by inexperienced drivers. Just because you can afford, doesn't mean you know how to drive it.

[yemenmocha]

Originally Posted by shift@red

you mean like all the "i wrecked my m3" threads?

Yes, you'd be surprised how many people don't know how to heel/toe, or have basic understanding of understeer, oversteer, apex, trailbraking, etc. /sigh

[IE#02]

Originally Posted by BMWCadet

Might hear from who? No one? "335 has enormous amounts of lag" is the most ridiculous thing i've heard yet.

Haha, settle down..just my own opinion buddy. Many of the reviews i read said there was little or no turbo lag. Maybe it was only my car, but when you stomp on the pedal it takes half a second to respond with anything. No such problems with my GTR.

[mpm3]

how come on all these m3 vs 335i no one discusses how these 335i's break down like its they're job ? i work for bmw and the 335i is always in the shop for problems on that fuel pump and injectors that goes for the 535i and 135i...the biggest reason i went with the M3 over a 335i was the reliability not to mention its a better track car with out touching a thing

[graider]

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

^^^used e46 are hard to find without a lot of miles unless your willing to pay. there really sweet cars, which turn is prob the reason guys don't want to part with them. I don't have any used Ms at our dealership right now sorry. But if you decide you want a new 335 i will def give you a price you can't refuse. GL with your choice.

i think the one that rarely get driven is the one that will show up with more problem. personally i would go for the one with average mileage driven per year with good maintenance record. a big plus if it is mainly highway driven instead of stop/go traffic in city and driven less than 5 miles per trip.

e46 m3 over 355i hands down.